Hello my loves, I am back with a product review of the Shea Moisture Castor Oil Styling Lotion. I use the Shea Moisture Castor Oil Lotion primarily on wash days as it is meant to serve as a heat protectant for when I may blow dry (which I rarely do) and since it is lighter I feel like it might give straighter results when I air dry my hair. I was drawn to it because of one of its primary ingredients which is Jamaican Black Castor Oil. However on taking a closer look at the ingredients I see that Apricot Oil and Olive Oil are listed before Castor Oil. In this product review I have also tried to make a mini comparison between the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Styling Lotion, the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk and the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Transitioning Milk.
The Shea Moisture Castor Oil Styling Lotion is described on the Bottle as the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Styling Lotion with Shea Butter, Peppermint & Keratin. It states that it is suited for Natural, Chemically Processed, Color Treated or Heat Styled Hair. The product claim is as follows “This precious oil based lotion protects while restoring moisture and lustrous shine to dull, damaged or chemically processed hair. Perfect for those who regularly color, straighten, perm or heat style their hair as well as kinky, curly or wavy natural styles. Nutrient-rich Jamaican Black Castor Oil, certified organic Shea Butter and stimulating Peppermint combine in an ultra moisturising formula to protect against the damaging effects of high heat styling while increasing hair’s resistance to breakage. Hair grows strong and healthy.”
The directions state “squeeze a small amount into hands, and apply to damp or dry hair starting from ends and working up to roots. Do not rinse out. Dry naturally or blow dry as usual. Excellent to protect hair before using heat styling tools.”
These are the Ingredients as listed on the Bottle: Water (Aqua), Hydroxypropyl Trimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Cetearyl Alcohol, Oat Beta Glucan, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Inulin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Dihydroxypropyldimonium Oligosaccharides, Behenyl Alcohol, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Niacin, Vinegar, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Glycerin , Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Yeast Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Guar Hydroxypropyltimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Diheptyl Succinate, Sodium Phytate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Citric Acid, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend) *Certified Organic Ingredient
Pros
The Shea Moisture Castor Oil Styling Lotion is a versatile product, it acts as a moisturiser, a leave in, heat protectant and styling product.
It is a lightweight product and so it will not weigh your hair down. I feel like it is more suited to people with fine to medium hair and not for coarser, thicker hair.
I like the fact that the Shea Moisture Castor Oil Styling Lotion is suited for all Hair Types, Natural, Chemically Processed, Color Treated or Heat Styled Hair
It has a very good consistency, not too thick or watery.
Cons
The Shea Moisture Castor Oil Styling Lotion may make hair feel dry and not so moisturised compared to other moisturisers, including the Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk which is definitely one of my favourite moisturisers.
Also in comparison, I find that while the Shea Moisture Castor Oil Styling Lotion is lightweight, the Shea Moisture Transitioning Milk actually causes product build up on my hair and the product just seems to sit on the hair, especially if it is used consistently for a long period of time. (This is a different view from what I wrote when I initially reviewed the product). Also the Shea Moisture Transitioning Milk does not really feel moisturising but feels really creamy, heavy at least on my own hair so perhaps as the product states it is best suited for transitioning hair or dry, damaged hair. However the Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk which is for thick, curly hair seems to suit my thick, texlaxed/relaxed hair just fine.
The Shea Moisture Castor Oil Styling Lotion is so lightweight so you need a lot to moisturise your hair, unlike the Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk where a little goes a long way.
I am not a fan of the scent of the Shea Moisture Castor Oil Styling Lotion, I however absolutely love the scent of the Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk.
Rating – 2.5/5 (Average) Personally I would recommend the Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk over the Shea Moisture Castor Oil Styling Lotion.
Kindly share your experience with this product if you have used it or if it is something you would be willing to try? Or share your favourite products from the Shea Moisture line or other products you might like. As always, if you have any topic you would want me to address please comment below or send an email to me and I will be happy to.
TONKABELLE, xoxo
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up” – Thomas A. Edison
Anonymous
I have 4b hair and I am literarily at my wits end what to do with it, I have a mind to cut it all off, I went natural november last year, my hair has been growing really well but hardly noticeable because of the extreme curls and shrinkage. As soon as I am done combing my hair properly and painfully most times, the hair becomes tangled withi 10mins of combing. How annoying and tiresome! It breaks so easy.I moisturize, I protect I do hair care and all yet the way it tangkes so quickly just annoys the heck out of me. It just curls continuously straight back into itself . how do I go about this tangle craziness before hair frustration makes me put a scissors to it.
Tonkabelle
From what you explained it seems like you need to do more moisture based treatments. Excessive tangling can be a result of protein overload. First what products do you use for your hair? Do you moisturise and seal your hair everyday? How do you comb your hair wet or dry? After you are done combing it you can plait it or something to prevent it from getting tangled again. What do you moisturise your hair with? Please don't take a scissor to your hair just yet.